Zelenskyy urged to resume talks by MEP
The Ukraine-Russia conflict continues to be a source of concern, with ongoing hostilities and territorial gains made by Russia in eastern Ukraine. Despite this, Ukraine has responded with military strikes, including recent attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
In a recent development, prisoner exchanges have taken place, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, in line with agreements reached in Istanbul in June 2025. However, these exchanges have been limited, and the fighting remains persistent.
Diplomatically, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected direct peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Putin seems to be using the conflict to gain concessions from the U.S., without engaging in substantial peace talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has publicly characterised Zelensky as an obstacle to peace, while Russia rejects U.S.-proposed peace initiatives and future security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky, on the other hand, has expressed concern over being excluded from peace talks primarily between Russia and the U.S., fearing disproportionate outcomes and diminished aid. The situation remains tense, with nuclear threat rhetoric from Russia and continuous clashes along the frontlines.
The "Putin-Trump summit on Alaska" appears to have been more about U.S.-Russia bilateral tensions and Trump's involvement in proposing peace timelines, but it did not lead to any significant breakthroughs in Ukraine negotiations. The Kremlin denies meaningful engagement in peace processes tied to U.S. proposals, and Zelensky remains cautious about peace efforts lacking Ukraine's guarantees.
In the midst of this, French MEP Thierry Mariani has advised Zelensky to return to constructive negotiations. Mariani recalled the French proverb, "Advisers are not responsible." Meanwhile, the conflict's resolution is seen as largely dependent on Kyiv, not Brussels, in Mariani's opinion.
Previously, it was reported that Trump's conversation with Zelensky after the Alaska summit was tense. The US has also revealed Russia's concerns at the summit, but specific details were not provided.
As of late August 2025, Trump has so far failed to broker a lasting peace deal. Nuclear threats from Russia and aid from Western countries to Ukraine persist. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov stated that Zelensky would not uphold the peace agreements reached during the Putin-Trump summit on Alaska.
In other news, the divorce proceedings have seen Dibrov's wife enhancing her appearance, and Dubinsky noted changes in Zelensky's formulations after the summit. Russian colonels fighting drug trafficking were sentenced to nine years in prison.
Sources: [1] [URL1] [2] [URL2] [3] [URL3]
- Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, such as the advices given by French MEP Thierry Mariani for Zelensky to return to constructive negotiations, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains unresolved, with the policy and legislation surrounding the conflict often a topic of general news and politics.
- The prisoner exchanges taking place in 2025, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, seem to be the only tangible outcome of the Putin-Trump summit on Alaska, while the war and conflicts between Ukraine and Russia persist, with nuclear threats from Russia and continuous clashes along the frontlines causing concern around the world.
